God’s Delight In Those He Has Delivered Zephaniah 3:17 Nathan Smith Sermon Theme: Our God is a mighty deliverer who loves us, saves us and delights in us. I. God’s Deliverance II. God Delights Over Us We must banish from our minds forever any thought that God admits us begrudgingly into his kingdom, as though Christ found a loophole in the law, did some fancy plea-bargaining, and squeaked us by the Judge. No way! God himself, the Judge, put Christ forward as our substitutionary sacrifice, and when we trust him, God welcomes us with bells on. He puts a ring on our finger, kills the fatted calf, throws a party, shouts a shout that shakes the ends of creation, and leads in the festal dance. — John Piper God’s heart towards us is large. His song over you is the loudest. This is staggering, yet true. Questions for Discussion/Application: *Consider taking time to read Zephaniah 3:17 out loud. What initial insights or observations of the text do you have? *Why do you think we can struggle to lay hold of the truth that God delights in us as His people and sings over us? What keeps us from believing that truth at a deep heart level? *Day in and day out, at a subjective level, how do you feel God feels about you? Do you live daily with a deep assurance of His love? Why or why not? *Read the John Piper quote above. How does it land on you? How does it encourage and comfort you? *Consider taking time to pray, asking God by His Holy Spirit to help us to truly trust and rest in His amazing love for us.